Oct 26: Death of King Alfred

899 Death of St King Alfred the Great (b. 847?), king of England from 871 to 899. The day was the 26^th of October (because he died "six days before All Hallow's Mass Day"), and the year is now generally thought to have been 899, not 900 or 901 as was previously accepted.

Alfred, the scholar-monarch who ruled southern England, was called the 'Education King' for his dedication to literacy and learning.

We know much of his life from a chronicle written by Asser, Bishop of Sherborne, in around 888. Winston Churchill, not usually reputed for his modesty, when being told that he must be the greatest Englishman that ever lived is said to have replied "No! The greatest Englishman that ever lived was King Alfred".

King Alfred's crown was unique – it had two bells attached to it.